Early tribal people called the Paria Canyon the "Land of the Sleeping Rainbows". The large multi-colored butte seen here are known as, "The Sphinx". Chinle shale, along the Paria river canyon, erodes into inhospitable soil,whose composition discourages plant growth leaving bands of color in clear view. This colorful butte, known as "The Sphinx resides in the Grand Staircase National Monument of Utah.